Today's other stories in brief

Wilkinson 'staying put'

Newcastle have dismissed speculation Jonny Wilkinson would follow Steve Black out of Kingston Park at the end of the season.

The England outhalf, who has spent his entire senior career with the Falcons, is out of contract at the end of May and has yet to agree a new deal.

Black unexpectedly left Newcastle by mutual consent on Monday after spending more than 10 years at the club in two stints.

He is Wilkinson's mentor and the pair have worked closely together since the international joined the club after leaving school, a collaboration Black said this week would continue no matter where his future took him.

Wilkinson has been linked with a move to the Premiership champions, Leicester, and from the start of next month he is free to speak to potential suitors.

Vickery faces possible ban

England's World Cup captain, Phil Vickery, has been cited for the second time this season.

The Wasps prop will face a hearing in Dublin following the citing for allegedly trampling on the Clermont Auvergne lock Thibaut Privat during Wasps' Heineken European Cup defeat in France last Saturday.

Vickery was banned during the World Cup for tripping USA centre Paul Emerick in England's opening game.

He can continue playing pending a disciplinary hearing on this latest citing. If found guilty, he could realistically expect a two- or three-week ban.

Gatland denies drink culture

The Wales and former Ireland coach Warren Gatland has denied there is a drinking culture in the game.

On Monday Wales prop Rhys Thomas and his Newport Gwent Dragons team-mate Rhodri Gomer Davies were cautioned after being detained for two nights by Italian police following a fracas outside a nightclub in Treviso.

On the same day the Ospreys centre Gavin Henson was charged with a public-order offence after a disturbance on a London-to-Cardiff train on December 2nd.

"Anyone I have spoken to, a huge range of people in the game, said they felt strongly that there is not a drinking culture in Welsh rugby," Gatland told the Daily Mail.

"Sometimes boys do have a few too many drinks . . . But I'm not going to ban the players from ever having a drink.

"I've seen New Zealand teams impose draconian measures before and they have backfired."

Cup finals for Chicago

Next season's Churchill Cup will take place in Canada and the USA. The annual event that includes Ireland A, Scotland A, the USA, Canada and the England Saxons has become important in developing emerging talent.

The New Zealand Maoris traditionally took part but won't next year. The organisers are shortly to announce a sixth team.

The pool matches will kick off in Ottawa on June 7th and move to Kingston on June 11th and Toronto on June 14th. The finals will be in Chicago on June 21st.

Deans presses credentials

New Zealander Robbie Deans launched a passionate defence of his credentials to coach the Australian rugby team after being interviewed for the job yesterday.

Deans (48) has emerged as the favourite to succeed John Connolly but the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has been criticised by some former players and coaches for considering a New Zealander ahead of an Australian.

Deans insisted, however, nationality was irrelevant.

"I've got a passion for the game. I love this game. I love a challenge," he said. "I really enjoy the people in the game. I probably have as many connections here as I do at home - I've been in Sanzar rugby for 11 years now."

Deans has never coached a national side before but was assistant coach to the All Blacks from 2001 to 2003.